Director scoops award at Southside Festival

A short romantic comedy by a Bearsden filmmaker has scooped a prestigious award at this year’s Southside Film Festival.

BAFTA nominated director Ryan Hendrick created the Christmas comedy ‘PerfectStrangers’ with BAFTA award winning producer David Newman and it premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in May.

It has since travelled across the globe being screened at festivals in France, the USA, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Cyprus and Scotland.

Perfect Strangers was made as a test run during preparations for making a feature-length romantic comedy, Journey Bound.

It was shot at locations on Rannoch Moor and Glencoe and features music from renowned Scottish-based singer-songwriter Jack Henderson’s new album The Darling Light.

The fim stars acclaimed and up and coming actors Kenny Boyle and Clare Sheerin.

Ryan said: “It’s been a busy year for Perfect Strangers from Cannes to travelling the globe and coming home to win the audience award at the Southside Film Festival is incredibly gratifying.”

In its fifth year, the Southside Festival had a diverse line up of short films as it is committed to supporting local culture and filmmaking talent.

David said: “It’s a real honour to win the festival’s audience award, having people watch and enjoy the film is great, but having the audience vote you as their favourite is even better”

The 26 minute comedy tells the story of two people stranded in the Scottish Highlands on Christmas Eve who team up to try and get home in time for Christmas Day.

Perfect Strangers may have come a full circle by returning to Glasgow but its world tour is not over yet.

The film is now heading to Australia as part of the official selection for the Dragon Dreaming Festival later this month. The filmmakers are also planning future screenings in Scotland. Check out their facebook page - perfectstrangersxmas